Rental registration bill should surface Monday

Committee will take first look

Apr. 7, 2013

Written by

Advocate Reporter

NEWARK — Newark City Council’s Economic Development Committee on Monday night will take its first look at a proposed ordinance that aims to establish rental registration in Newark.

The proposal has been revised since the concept first surfaced in 2012 in an ad hoc committee beneath council’s Economic Development Committee.

David Greene, co-chairman of the Citizens Committee for Housing Rights, which evolved from the ad hoc committee, said the latest version proposes a $20 per-unit registration fee for up to 25 units in an apartment complex, and $10 apiece for each beyond that. The new proposal would thereby lower the total fee sum for owners of large apartment complexes.

The measure also would establish fines of $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second and $1,000 for the third in a three-year period.

Those violations would include fire prevention, building code and property maintenance. Owners of the properties would have to, in person, annually inspect each of their units and submit the report to the Department of Public Safety, according to the ordinance.

“The intent is to use the rental registration fees to get more inspections and learn where problem properties are in the city,” Greene said.

Proponents want to improve the city’s housing stock to make it safer and “more attractive and vibrant” for businesses and visitors, Greene said.

Councilwoman Rhonda Loomis, chairwoman of the Economic Development Committee, said she plans to invite council members and visitors — landlords and tenants — to speak on the proposal Monday night before entertaining any motion that may come from committee members. She said she thinks most people agree that the city’s housing stock can improve.

“I’m completely open-minded to the pros and cons,” Loomis said. “I do not know how this is going to go. I think a lot of people are uncomfortable with the fees.”

The council’s committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers, City Hall, starting with Finance, followed in order by Safety, Service and Economic Development. All sessions are open to the public.